Study Finds Work Increases Activity Levels in Young Adults but Reduces Sleep Unless Working Remotely
Recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge reveals that young adults experience a significant increase in physical activity upon entering the workforce, although this boost is often accompanied by a decrease in sleep duration. The study highlights that this trend is particularly evident among individuals in semi-routine and routine jobs, while those in managerial or professional roles show minimal changes in their activity levels.
The findings indicate that the greatest decline in physical activity occurs among employees who work from home. Interestingly, these remote workers do not experience any alteration in their sleep patterns following their job commencement.
Young adulthood, defined as the age range of 16 to 30 years, represents a crucial period for health, as individuals are typically in peak physical condition. However, it is also a time when many develop risk factors for chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
Health authorities recommend that individuals in this age group engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly, get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and consume a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The transition into the workforce can significantly alter daily routines, including time management, financial resources, and social environments, all of which impact health behaviors.
To assess the effects of entering the workforce on health-related behaviors, researchers analyzed longitudinal data from over 3,000 participants in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. All participants were aged between 16 and 30 years and began their first jobs between 2015 and 2023.
The results, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, demonstrate that upon starting work, participants experienced an average increase in physical activity equivalent to approximately 28 minutes of moderate exercise per day. However, this activity level declined annually by roughly seven minutes.
Notably, males reported a more significant increase, averaging an additional 45 minutes of moderate activity daily, compared to 16 minutes for females. Moreover, individuals without a university degree exhibited a greater increase in physical activity than their degree-holding counterparts, with increases of 42 minutes versus 15 minutes, respectively.
Contrarily, remote workers experienced an initial decrease in physical activity, averaging about 32 minutes less of moderate activity per day. Additionally, upon entering the workforce, young adults' sleep duration dropped by nearly 10 minutes and remained stable, although individuals without a degree showed a continuous decline of three minutes of sleep each year post-employment. In contrast, those with a degree gradually returned to their pre-employment sleep levels.
There was minimal change in the dietary habits of participants regarding fruit and vegetable consumption following the start of their jobs. Researchers emphasize the importance of understanding how starting work influences lifestyle choices and health outcomes, especially since these choices may have long-term health implications.
Experts suggest that workplaces hold the potential to create environments that promote healthier eating, increased physical activity, and better sleep for young adults. Such initiatives could lead to healthier employees, reduced absenteeism, and long-term health benefits.
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